Dying girls message

Collected by Merlin Mitchell
Transcribed by Mary C. Parler
Sung by Mrs. Ben Wages
Fayetteville, Arkansas
May 25, 1950
Reel 52, Item 3
The Dying Girl's Message
Raise the curtains higher, Mother,
Air can never harm me now,
Let the breeze blow in upon me,
It will cool my fevered brow.
Soon this struggle will be over,
Soon be still this aching heart,
But I have a dying message,
I must give thee 'fore we part.
Lay my head upon your bosom,
Hold me closer, Mother dear.
Mother, there is one, you know him,
Oh, I cannot speak his name,
You remember how he sought me,
How his loving words did gain.
How he gained my youngest (?) blessing,
Vowing in most tender tones
That he would forever guide me
Where my heart was his alone.
You remember how I trusted,
How my thoughts were all of him,
Draw those curtains higher, Mother,
For the light is growing dim.
Need I tell you how he left me,
Coldly turning me aside,
How he wooed and won another,
And'll claim her for his bride.
Life has been a weary burden,
Since that hour of deepest woe,
run that way,
They are well I know.
Glad I obey the summons,
Going to a better land,
Where no hearts are won and broken,
But all's band.
The Dying Girl's Message (Cont.)
Reel 52, Item 3 (Cont.)
Take this ring from off my finger
Where he placed it long ago,
Give it to him with a blessing
That in dying I bestow.
Give it to him as a token
Of forgiveness and of peace.
Hark ! I hear his voice in passing,
Will those watchings never cease?
Hark ! I hear his footsteps coming,
Note his ...
Strange how my disordered fancy
Caught his footsteps on the green (?)
Do not chide him, Mother darling,
Though you miss me from your side,
I forgive him and I wish him
Joy with her so soon his bride.
Do not chide him, Mother darling,
Though my form you see no more,
Grieve not; think me only waiting
For you on the other shore.
I am cool now, close the window,
Hold me closer, kiss me too,
Joy ! what means that burst of music?
Tis the Savior's voice I know!
He is waiting to receive me,
Oh, how great a bliss to die,
Mother, meet your child in Heaven,
One more kiss and then goodbye.

Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.

Collected by Merlin Mitchell
Transcribed by Mary C. Parler
Sung by Mrs. Ben Wages
Fayetteville, Arkansas
May 25, 1950
Reel 52, Item 3
The Dying Girl's Message
Raise the curtains higher, Mother,
Air can never harm me now,
Let the breeze blow in upon me,
It will cool my fevered brow.
Soon this struggle will be over,
Soon be still this aching heart,
But I have a dying message,
I must give thee 'fore we part.
Lay my head upon your bosom,
Hold me closer, Mother dear.
Mother, there is one, you know him,
Oh, I cannot speak his name,
You remember how he sought me,
How his loving words did gain.
How he gained my youngest (?) blessing,
Vowing in most tender tones
That he would forever guide me
Where my heart was his alone.
You remember how I trusted,
How my thoughts were all of him,
Draw those curtains higher, Mother,
For the light is growing dim.
Need I tell you how he left me,
Coldly turning me aside,
How he wooed and won another,
And'll claim her for his bride.
Life has been a weary burden,
Since that hour of deepest woe,
run that way,
They are well I know.
Glad I obey the summons,
Going to a better land,
Where no hearts are won and broken,
But all's band.
The Dying Girl's Message (Cont.)
Reel 52, Item 3 (Cont.)
Take this ring from off my finger
Where he placed it long ago,
Give it to him with a blessing
That in dying I bestow.
Give it to him as a token
Of forgiveness and of peace.
Hark ! I hear his voice in passing,
Will those watchings never cease?
Hark ! I hear his footsteps coming,
Note his ...
Strange how my disordered fancy
Caught his footsteps on the green (?)
Do not chide him, Mother darling,
Though you miss me from your side,
I forgive him and I wish him
Joy with her so soon his bride.
Do not chide him, Mother darling,
Though my form you see no more,
Grieve not; think me only waiting
For you on the other shore.
I am cool now, close the window,
Hold me closer, kiss me too,
Joy ! what means that burst of music?
Tis the Savior's voice I know!
He is waiting to receive me,
Oh, how great a bliss to die,
Mother, meet your child in Heaven,
One more kiss and then goodbye.